It’s silly season up in Europe, with every Super Rugby player who isn’t literally nailed to the floor being linked with a move to some-or-other French club ahead of the new European season.

Perusing the list of rumoured departures, it’s interesting to note that Bok number 8 Pierre Spies is allegedly looking at a move to Toulouse, with Stormers scrumhalf Dewald Duvenage linked to Perpignan and Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss to Stade Francais. In the case of the last-mentioned, though, we can probably assume that there is some truth to the story, with Strauss’s agent confirming to Beeld today that at least two foreign clubs are currently vying for the Bok number 16.

Perhaps more concerning for Sharks fans, though, is that number 8 Ryan Kankowski has also been linked with a move to Perpignan. Should the rangy Kanko opt to pursue a fresh start, I guess one could hardly blame him, given how a combination of injury and patchy form have limited his first team appearances in Durban significantly over the last year. The emergence of Keegan Daniel as not only first-choice eighthman, but also team captain, can hardly be helping either.

Sharksworld has received assurances, though, from Kanky’s representation at Union Sports Group, that these exit rumours are unsubstantiated nonsense. Kankowski signed a new 3-year deal with the Sharks towards the end of the 2010 season and will honour that commitment, which keeps him in black and white until the end of 2013 at the very earliest.

Good to know for the fans and we appreciate USG setting the record straight on this one. We all know better than to take these spurious French transfer rumours seriously in any event, don’t we?

5 Comments

Might not be a bad move for Kankowski though were it true. It’s not just Daniel that’s pushing for his spot at both the Sharks and the Boks.

Comment 1, posted at 13.06.12 12:24:29 by vanmartin

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I don’t particularly want to see Kanko go; he’s been a bit off the boil of late, but I still hold out hope for a return to the rangy, elusive speed merchant of old that could crack a game open in the blink of an eye.

However, if he felt like he *had* to go somewhere to rejuvenate his career, I think Kanko + Japan = hand + glove

Comment 2, posted at 13.06.12 12:52:26 by Culling Song

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Even if these stories were true, Kanko would be an idiot to leave SA.
He’s in the Bok mix even after his injuries and subsequent patchy form.

If he leaves now, he wont be picked for the Boks and who knows how long it will take him to get back in to the mix if and when he returned.

Same goes for Adriaan Strauss.

Comment 3, posted at 13.06.12 13:26:19 by John Galt

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Re: Spies and Toulouse – at the beginning of March there was something about them looking to recruit Jerome Kaino but that fell through, they then said Toulouse might look at Pierre Spies.

I don’t think Kanko or Spies would be good players through a NH winter.

Comment 4, posted at 13.06.12 14:56:02 by lostfish

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Haha I can’t imagine Spies in the NH where forwards can’t really hide away on the field.

Comment 5, posted at 14.06.12 12:47:38 by KingRiaan

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